Garmin Vivoactive 3 – Test and review

Review and Test of the Garmin Vivoactive 3


Are you very into sports? If so, perhaps like many people, you still go to the gym in order to have devices to optimally control heart rate, etc. But the use of luxury sports watches, like the model Garmin Vivoactive 3, brought a new way to exercise without the need for specialized cardio equipment. This model of connected sports watch with GPS and wrist cardio is very popular on the market; and some wonder if it is as efficient as its designer makes it out to be. This is probably also your concern, which leads you to read this article. Well, in the following, we will present detailed information about this model. This information will allow you to know whether you think this watch is worth buying or not.

The “advantages” and “disadvantages” de sport Garmin Vivoactive 3

  • Comfort and ergonomics
  • Interesting connectivity
  • Multi-sport option
  • Wallet watch
  • Limited bracelet size
  • Unreliable battery life

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Comfort and ergonomics

1694677381 219 Review and Test of the Garmin Vivoactive 3Watches are known for their very common use in the sporting field. Choosing one that is as beautiful as it performs is a challenge, especially since several brands offer real competition. Among all these gadgets, the Vivoactive 3 Garmin is ranked among those that generate the most ink. With its diameter of 43.4 cm, this watch offers an authentic design, with a customizable round dial, which is sure to please you. Its thin and light design can be seen very clearly through its weight of 43 gramsand its thickness of 11.7 cm, which will surely suit all athletes.

The Vivoactive 3 watch has beautiful features worthy of unparalleled ergonomics. Let us already note that it is perfectly waterproof. In fact, its ultra-resistant screen allows it to hold up in water at a depth of up to 50 meters. So, feel free to use it in sports activities like swimming, and even in the shower! This Garmin watch also offers very acceptable brightness, because its color screen with a display resolution of 240 x 240 mega pixels is perfectly readable indoors and outdoors. This means that even under the sun, it is possible to clearly see the display on the dial. Very practical for outdoor sports enthusiasts, whatever the climate!

Interesting connectivity

1694677381 58 Review and Test of the Garmin Vivoactive 3Nowadays sports watches are not just an ornament. They are also designed to perform several other connectivity-related functions. This is precisely what the Vivoactive 3 Garmin watch offers. It’s an ultra sports watch connected with GPS. In simpler terms, this little tool, as light as a feather, is capable of guiding you like a compass. Even more, you can use it to manage phone calls, text messages,… in short, the watch can also be your phone!

To stimulate motivation during a sports session, there is nothing more magnificent than being able to be accompanied by a dynamic melody during these intense moments! And the Vivoactive 3 Garmin watch offers you that on a golden platter. It is possible to connect it to streaming services, and thus download a large number of music. But if you’re more into workouts, well, do yourself a favor and download them too! This watch of very high technology has enough space for it all.

Multi-sport options

1694677381 501 Review and Test of the Garmin Vivoactive 3It is common to think that a sports watch is only practical for sports such as running, walking, jogging, in short activities related to speed and physical resistance. On the other hand, with this Garmin model, this thought is all over. It’s a watch that couldn’t be more efficient for racing, certainly, but not only that! Its system is designed to coach you in many diverse sports, such as swimming, yoga, snowboarding, golf, etc. But what exactly does it do to help you?

During your sporting activity, it is responsible for measuring parameters linked to the level of physical activity through your wrist. If you are an athlete specializing in running, this watch is for you. It informs you about your heart rate, (hence its “cardio” function), your speed, and even your cadence. This function, particularly used during intense sports such as running, is also valid for your fitness sessions. If you are more of a swimmer, this watch counts for you the number of meters covered during your breaststrokes with precision. It’s the same for all other sports. You just have to program the watch according to what you expect from it, and it performs without difficulty.

Wallet watch

1694677381 31 Review and Test of the Garmin Vivoactive 3The connected sports watch with GPS and wrist cardio from the Garmin brand has a system for making electronic payments. Thanks to this “GarminPay” function, it is entirely possible to make your purchases contactless, and benefit from a fast, secure and very practical service when you travel, whatever the situation. Beyond the sports field, the Vivoactive 3 Garmin watch is also a payment option for certain public transport services. Contact your administration to find out more.

The GarminPay app works well with credit cards, Visa and MasterCard. Perhaps you are worried about the security of your accounts when using your watch? Don’t panic, because this application authenticates all your possible purchases in your own name. Also, when you enter codes or account numbers, none are stored on the watch, nor transmitted to any computer server. This application guarantees security that is difficult to circumvent. It is above all a very easy to use system. Simply enter your code, choose the card you want to use, and place your wrist close to the card reader. This harmless gesture will save you from always carrying cash during your sport. If you need to break your fast in a local café, just after a good, long brisk walk, simply use your Garmin Vivoactive 3.

Limited bracelet size

1694677381 805 Review and Test of the Garmin Vivoactive 3As we said above, the Vivoactive 3 Garmin watch comes with a very beautiful bracelet. If we stick to the beauty of this watch and its bracelet, we wouldn’t wait another minute to treat ourselves to it. However, it is possible that this watch is not the one that you need. For what ? Simply because it may not be enough for you, especially if you have a fairly fleshy wrist. You might say to yourself: “I just need to adjust it to my size, and that’s it!” » Well, that’s precisely the problem! This connected sports watch has a bracelet with a wrist circumference of 22 cm. It is designed for people who do exactly this measurement. Its clientele is therefore well chosen and selected, and surely disqualifies the majority of those interested.

In addition, it is designed in one size. In other words, it only has one hole, not several, as some would say. A watch that claims to be “cardio”, records the heart rate when it is directly in contact with the wrist. This means that wearing it over jogging pants, for example, would not be a good use of it. This is bad news for fans of Giovanni Agnelli’s style, with his watch always worn over the shirt sleeve. The unpopular size of the bracelet is a big downside for the Vivoactive 3 watch from the Garmin brand, which so far still seems to be overshadowed by its advantages. This drawback therefore greatly reduces the number of potential buyers, and prevents the brand from shining in the eyes of many customers.

Unreliable battery life

It is true that according to the designer, the Vivoactive 3 Garmin watch offers good battery life of up to 8 days. However, in practical terms, this remains to be verified. The fact is that this high-end tool loses 20% of its battery when inactive, which is equivalent to 1 or 2 hours of sporting activity. If it loses so much energy, it is obviously because of the many energy-consuming features that it offers at the same time.

Note for example this: The Vivoactive 3 Garmin watch has integrated GPS and Glonass modes. These 2 modes are enabled simultaneously in the original design settings, which does the battery no good. It is therefore preferable to cancel one of the modes to conserve maximum energy. In addition, among the other options often used for long hours (music, GPS, Glonass, SMS, calls, etc.), this watch fails in its promise of 8 days of autonomy. Anyone who would like to make their battery last a long time should refrain from using as many features as they would like. As for this other Achilles heel, Garmin still has a way to go to keep up with the competition which offers much better than what it offers here in terms of autonomy!

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